WiMAX equipment revenues to reach $124.5 mln in 2005

Worldwide WiMAX equipment revenue hit $16.4 mln and is projected to grow to $124.5 mln in 2005, according to Infonetics Research. WiMAX is initially being deployed as a wireless backhaul solution, but will be deployed as a mobility application starting in 2007-2008 once the 802.16e standard is ratified and WiMAX-capable client devices enter the market, marking a ramp-up in the market. Outdoor mesh network access nodes, currently used primarily by municipal authorities to provide broadband network coverage for their mobile workers, also represent a small but rapidly growing wireless segment, totaling $8.8 mln in 2004 and growing to $110.4 mln in 2005.